President Gering urges SGA to reject BCCJP resolution; Chief Bethards comments on the proposed legislation
Context on and the full text of the letters sent by President Gering and Chief of Police Bethards to the Student Government Association
On March 28, 17 days after the Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace introduced Bill 92-029 to the Senate, a resolution which, if passed, would encourage the Bethel administration to end the North Newton Police Department’s ability to patrol the campus, President Jon Gering sent a letter to the Student Government Association encouraging the rejection of the bill.
North Newton Chief of Police Jim Bethards sent a letter to SGA on March 31, commenting on the resolution but making no judgment on it. Both letters are included at the bottom of this page.
The full report of the meeting in which the letters were discussed — and where the resolution was rejected — can be found here.
The full text of the now-rejected bill can be obtained by request to SGA. Highlights from it include a definition of campus police patrols as:
“The presence and movement of on duty police officers around campus property who are not responding to an emergency, are without reasonable cause for suspicion of criminal activity on campus, are not actively investigating a crime or looking for suspects involved in a past crime, and are not on campus for a specific event or meeting.”
The resolution references the community conversation held on Nov. 10, 2024, and various actions taken by BCCJP to advocate against campus police patrols.
The resolution then recommends the end of campus patrols under the prior definition, while specifying that responses to 911 calls or active crimes would still be acceptable.
The resolution concludes by recommending alternatives to police patrols for campus safety and community building, acknowledging the need for further connection between the NNPD and Bethel students.
President Jon Gering’s letter:
DATE: March 28, 2025
TO: SGA President Fleck, SGA VP Paulino, members of the SGA Executive Committee, and SGA Senators
FROM: Jon C. Gering, President
RE: Response to SGA Bill 92-029, a resolution introduced by the Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace regarding police patrols
For reasons listed below, I encourage SGA to return the proposal to BCCJP, table it indefinitely, or reject it:
1. NNPD officers have jurisdictional authority to be on campus at any time and in any context. The idea of a ‘campus free of police presence’ is an unrealistic expectation, as it is in our broader society.
2. Further, the desire to create separation between the college community and NNPD runs counter to the January 2025 MOU, which is based on community policing. The foundation of community policing is closer interaction among officers, students, and employees. The proposed ‘stop of patrols’ creates distance among NNPD officer and will not lead to better relationships.
3. Students do not have the authority or knowledge to define police patrols.
4. There is no evidence of use of force or violence by NNPD officers in the last 10 years and no complaints from students or employees of such actions. In fact, the NNPD staff has been diligent in hiring officers who are trained in de-escalation strategies.
5. Fear and anxiety are emotional states produced by the mind of the individual, not the external environment. Individuals are ultimately in control of their emotional states. SGA should not endorse a proposal that attributes student fear and anxiety to police officers.
6. SGA should request meeting notes and voting records from the groups listed as members of the coalition to verify their endorsement of this proposal.
During discussion of this bill, I encourage SGA to highlight and share the following factual information about campus safety:
7. Over the past 5 years, NNPD, and Newton Fire and EMS have responded to 928 calls (NNPD has been involved in about half of these calls). Many of these calls (76) are from students and employees seeking assistance and concerns about suspicious people, vehicles, and actions. The officers of NNPD have also responded to requests (84) for building checks. Traffic stops (98) are common, as are responses to traffic accidents (84) and hit-and-run incidents (10).
8. NNPD has concluded several investigations that were immediately relevant to campus safety. They have also disarmed, arrested, and removed individuals who posed an immediate threat to the safety and well-being of students and employees.
9. Over the past five years, NNPD has issued only one violation for drug use and only one violation for alcohol use. Our Student Life staff are responsible for working closely with our students and employees to resolve these issues when they occur.
10. The 2025 Employee Satisfaction Survey revealed that 92.7% of employees either agreed (54.9%) or strongly agreed (37.8%) with this statement: “I feel safe on campus.” A recent campus survey of students, conducted by a consulting firm, revealed a high level of satisfaction with campus safety.
Finally, I encourage SGA to actively lead the campus-wide narrative on this subject by considering the following ideas:
11. My comments during the community conversation in Fall 2024 were focused on prevention and protection. Pacifism is about rejecting violence, not about rejecting protection. Having police on campus doesn’t mean we are inviting violence, it means we are taking steps to prevent it.
12. Host a series of small group discussions with students and member of the NNPD.
13. Attend North Newton city council meetings.
14. Remind students that police officers have very high levels of accountability.
My goal is to have a mutually beneficial and open relationship with NNPD for the benefit of the community, students, and employees. To that end, I support the following proposed actions in Section 3 of the recommendation: II.A, B, D, and E (though each of the actions as supplements, not alternatives); III. A-C. I hope SGA will consider implementing some of those.
I am proud of the progress with NNPD over the prior seven years. I am also happy with the current relationship, which is one of openness and understanding. My hope is that SGA takes an active leadership role in continuing to build a future of trust and understanding with NNPD.
Chief of Police Jim Bethards’ letter:
DATE: March 31, 2025
To: President Fleck, Vice President Paulino, and the Bethel College Student Government Association
From: Jim L Bethards, Chief of Police, North Newton Police Department.
In response to Senate Bill 92-029.
I appreciate the effort that has gone into gathering student input and developing recommendations regarding the relationship between the North Newton Police Department (NNPD) and Bethel College. The safety and well-being of all students are shared priorities, and open discussions about how best to foster a welcoming and secure campus environment are valuable. That being said, I would like to address some key points raised in the resolution and provide some clarifications.
The Role of NNPD on Campus
The NNPD occasionally patrols the Bethel College campus, primarily checking exterior doors and parking lots to ensure the safety of students and their property. However, we do not patrol residence halls or conduct intrusive policing activities within campus buildings unless requested or in response to an emergency. Our presence is focused on deterrence, safety, and providing assistance to the community as needed.
Lack of Supporting Evidence for Concerns
The resolution expresses concern about NNPD's presence on campus but provides zero specific examples of racial profiling, violence, or any other incidents that would justify these fears. Furthermore, since my tenure as Chief of Police, NNPD has received zero complaints of racial profiling and has had zero uses of force on campus or involving Bethel College students. We take any concerns regarding police conduct seriously, but it is essential to base discussions on facts rather than perceptions without evidence.
Authority and Jurisdiction
While the Student Government Association and other organizations involved in drafting this resolution have the right to express their perspectives and recommendations, they do not have decision-making authority over North Newton Police Department operations or policies. The NNPD operates under the jurisdiction of the City of North Newton and enforces laws in accordance with the statutes of the State of Kansas, with the primary responsibility of ensuring public safety for the entire community, including Bethel College.
We value student input and remain open to constructive feedback and discussion. However, operational decisions will continue to be based on legal authority, established best practices, and the overall well-being of the community. Our commitment is to ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents, visitors, and institutions within our jurisdiction.
Existing Community Engagement Programs
NNPD has a program that encourages officers to spend time at the 1887 Café as part of our ongoing efforts to build relationships with students in an informal setting. This initiative fosters positive interactions and creates opportunities for open dialogue between officers and students. We welcome participation and encourage students to engage with officers in these settings.
Ensuring a Safe and Welcoming Environment
I understand that some students feel uneasy about police presence, and I acknowledge those concerns. However, the NNPD's role is not to monitor student behavior or enforce campus policies but to provide assistance and ensure safety when necessary. A campus without a law enforcement presence poses challenges in maintaining a secure environment. Police presence is often a crime deterrent, and students should have access to law enforcement assistance when needed. The NNPD provides several services beyond law enforcement, such as vehicle unlocks, jump starts, assistance with tire changes, and life-saving measures during medical emergencies.
Alternative Safety Measures
I support improving campus safety through increased lighting, cameras, and other proactive measures. However, these alone cannot replace the role of law enforcement when immediate intervention is required. While student patrols and restorative justice initiatives have their place, they do not offer the same level of protection when dealing with threats such as trespassers, theft, or emergencies.
Final Thoughts
The NNPD will continue to operate in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) we have with Bethel College. This agreement outlines our responsibilities to provide safety and security for the campus community. Our goal remains to ensure a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff while maintaining a professional and cooperative relationship with the college.
I request continued support from the Bethel College Student Government Association (SGA), student body, and staff. I encourage continued dialogue and am open to discussing how we can best serve Bethel College's students and faculty.
Sincerely,
Jim L Bethards